Harpist brings calm to hospital patients
Volunteer Peg Mann plays the harp at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Aging Untold) — A harpist is offering quiet comfort to patients and families at McLeod Seacoast Hospital, playing every Thursday, the hospital’s busiest day for same-day surgery.
Peg Mann is part of the hospital’s volunteer and student services program. She has played the harp there for more than a year.
A new sound for the waiting room
Volunteer manager Peggy Skudera, who hired Mann as the harpist, said she was initially unsure about the idea.
“I wasn’t sure a harp was the best place to be in a hospital because my thought was, next stop is heaven,” Skudera said.
Skudera said watching Mann play shows her connection to the instrument.
“When you see her play it, you can see she is so in tune and so married to that harp,” Skudera said. “It’s absolutely amazing that she doesn’t know what’s going on around her. She doesn’t know all the people are listening. All the people that are looking at her.”
Playing from the background
Mann said she prefers not to be the center of attention while she plays.
“And I like it because you’re just the background,” Mann said. “You’re not the center of attention. That’s not my cup of tea.”
Mann plays relaxing and religious music on the harp, plucking each string. Her favorite song is “Angel’s Hymn.”
“I like to play relaxing music here, some religious music,” Mann said.
Mann said she also plays piano and organ. She added the harp to her repertoire in 2005 and continues harp lessons three times a month. She has also played at weddings and performed in church.
“This is what I like to do,” Mann said.
A full hospital shift
Mann starts her shift at 5:30 a.m., escorting patients and pushing the comfort cart before she plays the harp. She also takes breaks to visit with waiting families.
“Either they come up and visit, or I take the time to go and visit with them too,” Mann said. “I get lots of hugs and kisses.”
Skudera said Mann has become part of the McLeod family.
“We could not be happier to have her here,” Skudera said.
Mann said she receives something in return for her time at the hospital.
“I feel like I have new friends every day when I go home,” Mann said.
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